A mild and efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazoles through a new surfactant-modified moroccan clay catalyst

A simple and convenient synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazoles, using o-phenyldiamine as starting material with several aldehydes, has been accomplished by heterogeneous catalysis using a small amount of a new surfactant-modified Moroccan Ghassoulite clay catalyst. The reaction was carried out under very mild conditions at room temperature. The catalyst can be easily regenerated and reused. The yields obtained are very good in reasonably short time.